Turtles worth $66,000 seized at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists Jan. 7 stopped <a href="http://ocpets.ocregister.com/2011/01/11/55-exotic-turtles-seized-at-lax/79648">two Japanese nationals from smuggling 55 live turtles</a> and $16,212 of undeclared currency from Japan. Garrett Hartle, the internet sales manager at Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley, said the animals likely came from a captive breeding program and estimated their combined value at more than $66,000.TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. CUSTOMS

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists Jan. 7 stopped two Japanese nationals from smuggling 55 live turtles and $16,212 of undeclared currency from Japan.

Garrett Hartle, the internet sales manager at Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley, said the animals likely came from a captive breeding program. Most of the turtles, he said, are extremely rare and not often seen in the pet market. Hartle estimated the value of the seized turtles at around $66,600.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists Jan. 7 stopped two Japanese nationals from smuggling 55 live turtles and $16,212 of undeclared currency from Japan. Garrett Hartle, the internet sales manager at Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley, said the animals likely came from a captive breeding program and estimated their combined value at more than $66,000. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. CUSTOMS
The exotic reptiles, identified as endangered species, were found alive wrapped in cloth bags and concealed inside five Japanese cookie boxes. The following turtle photos are examples of the species found Friday at LAX. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. CUSTOMSThe Star tortoise is valued at $4,000. Wikipedia reports a large number of specimens of this species are found in the illegal wildlife trade in India. The patterning although highly contrasting breaks the outline of the tortoise as it sits in the shade of grass or vegetation. They are mostly herbivorous and feed on grasses, fallen fruit, flowers and leaves of succulent plants, and will occasionally eat carrion. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA.ORGThe Indian flapshell turtle is worth about $2,000, according to Garrett Hartle at Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley. "They're fairly spectacular and not seen often in the pet trade." The flap-shell can grow up to 3.5 feet and is named for its femoral flaps located on the plastron (belly). These flaps of skin serve the purpose of covering the limbs when they retract into the shell, according to Wikipedia. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA.ORGThe soft-shelled turtle value can range from $50 up to $750, depending on its color. The rare albino turtle captures the highest price, according to Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA.ORGThe Chinese big-headed turtle is worth about $150. The turtle is found in China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. In addition to a very large head, the big headed turtle is known to readily climb trees near rivers and fast streams. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF LAZY LIZARD TALESThe rare fresh-water fly river turtle or pig-nosed turtle sells for $1,500 and up. It is unlike any other species of freshwater turtle in the world, according to Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley. It is the best adapted turtle to an aquatic lifestyle and has flippers much like marine turtles. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTINTURTLEPAGE.COMThe Malaysian snail-eating turtles are valued around $400 and are found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Java, and Sumatra. They apparently do not do well in captive environments because of its rare diet and high parasite load. Read more about the seizure and the turtles at Pet Tales.TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF ASIANTURTLE.ORGRemember the bird smuggler? A Garden Grove man who smuggled Asian songbirds into the United States by strapping them to his legs during an international flight was sentenced June 7, 2010, to four months in prison. Sony Dong, 46, also was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to federal authorities who continue to care for the birds, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Dong pleaded guilty in September 2009 to a federal smuggling charge. He admitted to traveling to Vietnam to purchase the birds on several instances, including on April 2009 when he flew from Vietnam to Los Angeles International Airport with 14 live birds hidden beneath his pants and strapped to his legs, according to Dong's plea agreement. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
While we're on the subject of wildlife, check out a slide show of reader-submitted photos from Orange County. We've got pictures of bobcats, birds of prey, barn owns, herds of deer and more....Evening delight: Peter Bagnard of Foothill Ranch reports this group of deer dined regularly near his house for about a month. TEXT BY SAMANTHA GOWEN, PETS EDITOR; PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER BAGNARD

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.